Water closet construction



July 24, 1934. J. N. MURPHY I WATER CLOSETCONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 5, 1933 3 SheelZS-Shei?a July 24, 1934. v J, N. MURPHY 1,967,680

n y WATER CLOSET CONSTRUCTION- Filed Jan. 5, 1935 `3 sheets-sheet 2 July 24, 1934. J. N. MURPHY 1,967,680

WATER CLOSET CQNSTRUCTION Filed Jan. l3. l1935 3 sheets-sheet 5 Patented July 24,

UNTED STATES FFICE WATER CLOSET CONSTRUCTION Application January 3, 1933, Serial No. 649,861

15 Claims.

This invention relates to water closets, and particularly to a novel construction and arrangement whereby the bowl, tank, flush ring and the various communicating conduits and passages are formed in a single unitary integral structure.

One object of the present invention is to provide a water closet bowl and tank constructed from a single integral material and having suitable communicating conduits and passages formed therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel structure wherein the water in the flush tank may be maintained under a pressure greater than atmospheric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of flushing mechanism capable of operating eciently `under various degrees of water pressure at the source of supply. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of main flush valve and control means therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of valve employed in the release passage for controlling the operation of the main valve.

A still further object of the invention is to improve devices of the character described in sundry details hereinafter referred to and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational View through a water closet bowl and tank or reservoir embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a por tionvoi` the tank and main flush valve structure taken substantially as indicated by the line-2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a portion of the tank and release valve structure for controlling the operation of the main valve and taken substantially as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. fi is a sectional plan view illustrating the manner of conducting water from the outlet passage of the tank to the jet conduit of the bowl and taken substantially as indicated by the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Y

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the draw-rv ings, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises a single unitary structure providing a bowl portion indicated as a whole by the numeral 11 and a tank portion formed integrally therewith, and indicated as a whole by (C1. Ll--14) the numeral 12,'the bowl portion 11 providing a receptacle 13, and having a ilush ring 11 formed integrally therewith adjacent its upper portion and providing a conduit 15 communicating with the receptacle 13 through a plurality of annu- 60 larly spaced ports 15 formed in the flush ring 14 and inclined at substantially a common or uniform angle around the ring in a manner to produce a swirling or spiral movement of the water across the interior surface of the bowl.

Formed also in the bowl portion 11 of the closet structure is a waste conduit 17 communieating with the lower end of the receptacle 13 and leading to a waste pipe of a sewerage system (not shown). 0 f

A jet conduit 18 is also formed in the bowl portion 11 and communicates at its lower end through an opening 19 with the lower end of the receptacle 13 in a. manner to produce a jet of water in substantial alignment with a portion of the waste conduit 17, and communicates at its opposite or upper end through a portion 21 (Figs. 1 and 4), extending around a portion of the waste conduit 17, with a passage 22 by which water is conducted from the tank 12 to the flush ring con- 80 duit 15 and to the jet conduit 18, a deflector or lip 23 being positioned in the passage 22 in a manner to deect a portion of the water passing 'therethrough into the jet conduit 18, and permitting the remaining portion of the water to pass onto the flush ring conduit 15.

The tank or reservoir 12 is shown in the present instance as formed integrally with the bowl portion 11, and provided preferably with a top portion 24 formed integrally with the main or body portion of the tank in a manner to provide a closed upper end portion against which the air within the tank may be compressed by the water in the lower portion thereof.

The tank 12 is provided, in the present instance, with an outlet passage 25 adapted to communicate with a passage 22, and is also provided with aY tubular air vent member 26 communicating with the outlet passage 25, and shown, in the present instance,r as formed integrally with the tank structure 12.

Mounted in the tank structure between the passage 25and interior ofthe tank is a Valve seat member or ring 27 forming a part of the water conducting means between the interior of the tank and the passage 22 and flush ring conduit 15 ofthe bowl portion 11.

Formed in the tank portion 12 is an inlet port '28 adapted to receive a pipe 29 communicating CTL shown), which for convenience may be referred to as the water main of a city pressure system, the inlet port 23 opening into a valve chamber 3l having one of its ends closed, preferably by a plug 32.

Slidably mounted in the chamber 31 is a body portion indicated as a whole by the numeral 33 of a main flush valve comprising spaced heads 34 and 35, connected together by. a spindle 3,6 of substantially reduced dimensions, the head 34 being provided with a socket or recess 37 adapted to receive a valve block 38 formed preferably of conipressible material such as rubber, or the like, and adapted to engage a valve seat 39 formed on the valve seat member or ring 27 in a manner to prevent passage of the water from the tank 12 t0 the passage 25 when the valve is closed, the block 38, in the present instance, being securedY in the socket or recess 37 by means of a washer 41 and screw 42.

'I he head 34V, in the present instance, is provided with an annular groove 43'forming iianged portions 44 and 45, the said flanged portions being ci a diameter suitable toprovide a sliding engagement with the chamber 31,and the flange 44 being positioned normally outside the valve chamber 3l and within the interior of the tank 12 when the main valve is closed, while the flange 45 is positioned and slidably mounted inthe valve chamber 3l between the inlet port 28 and interior of the tank 12, and is shown, in the present instance, as having a recess 46 formedin its periphery to provide a conduit communicating with the groove 43 and the interior of the tank 1`2Vand with the space within the chamber 31 between the hea-ds34and 35 of the main valvebody.

The head when the main valve is closed,vis positionedlnormally between the inlet port 28 and a portion 47 of a release passage communicating at one of its ends with an end portion ofthe valve chamber 31, and at its opposite end, through a portion 48, with the interior of the air vent member 26, the head 35 being of a diameter slightly less than thatof thevalve chamber 31 to permit seepage of water from the vintake port 28. past the head 35 andinto the portion of the chamber 31at the end adjacent the plug 32 andthe portion 47 of the release passage.

Mounted in the release passage between the portions 47 and 48'thereo'f, and in a release valve chamber 49 forming a part ofthe passage is a release valve member indicated as a whole by the numeral50 and comprising a body member 51.

preferably'screw-threadedinto aportion of the tank structure and having a longitudinal opening 52 and recessesV 53 andV 54 formed therein, the latter adjacent the opposite ends thereof, the body member 5l being lalso provided with an annularV groove 55 adjacent its inner end portion* and with a plurality of radially extendingl ports` 56y communicating with ythe recess 53 and groove 55.4

Slidably, mounted in the opening 52 is avalve stem 57, to the innerendof which within the chamber 49 isa valve head ,58 adapted to engage.

ingly maintaining the valve head 58 on the valve seat 59. Y

For preventing leakage around the body member 61, a packing nut is screw-threaded onto the outer end of the body member outside of the tank 12 and is adapted to engage and compress a packing ring 66 against the outer side of the tank, the packing nut 65 being provided with a recess 67 adapted to receive oneend of a manually actuated release valve operating handle 68, a flange 69 being spaced from the outer end of the body member 51 in a manner to retain the end of the handle within the recess 67. It will be observed from the foregoing description that a rocking of the handle 68 in any direction will act against the valve stem 57 or the retaining member 63 in a manner to move the valve head 53 awayA from the seat 59 and permit the passage of` water from the release valve chamber 49 through the ports 56 and annular groove 55 into the portion 48 of the release passage extending between the release valve and the air vent,l

end and adapted to rest on an inwardly extending flange or shoulder 77 formed; on the interior,

.of the tube, the head 76 being provided with apertures orz perforations 78 for admitting air to the interior ofthe vent tube aswater is drained from the tank into and through the passagesf25 and 22 to the flush ring conduit l5,A andthe j et con.- duit lS-of the bowl structure l1.

By reference to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the inside diameter of the valve seat member orring 27 is substantially less than the diameter of the valve chamber 3.1 and the heads 34 and 35, and, fory pinposes` of` comparison, itmay. bel assumed that the inside diameter of the valve ring maybe one and one-quarter inches, for eX- ample, while the diameters-of the valvechamber.'

31 and the heads` 34 and 35Vmaybe two inches, for example.

With the-above described ,illustrative constructionmd arrangement in Amind,A the operationnf the device is substantially as follows: Assuming that the levelofthewater inthe tank is substantially as indicated, with the air in the top ofthe tank under arpressure equal to thatinthe pipe 29 .of the .supply system,- andl that.y theY chamber Bland portion 47 ofthe, release passage are filled with water under like pressure, anditisdesired; to open the main valve, the handle 68-` is rockedl or tilted to move the valve head 58- (Fig. 3) from its seat 59, thereby permitting the water under pressure in the portion 47V ofthe release passage,

andin the right hand end of the valve chamber 31 (Fig. 2) to escape through the ports 'ofthe release` valve, annular groove-55;,and'portion 48 of the release-.passage into` the tubular air vent 26, thereby relievingthe pressure behind the head 35 and, due to the difference in pressureV at `the v opposite ends of the main valve, obtained by reason ofv the difference in diameter of the inside ofy the valve seat member or ring 27 and the diameter ofthe valve heads 34 and 35,-v enabling* thevpressure within thetank to quickly move. the main valve away from its seat 39 and `theriiange. pcr-tiony44 of thehead 34 intotthe valvephamben 31, which movement may be assisted by the city supply pressure inthe supply pipe 29, thus permitting the water from the tank to flow through the valve seat ring 27 into the tank outlet passage 25 and thence through the connecting passage 22 into the flush ring conduit 15 from which it passes through the inclined ports 16 to the receptacle 13 formed in the bowl portion 11, a portion of the water from the outlet passage 25 being directed by the deflector 23 into the jet conduit 18 and thence through the opening 19 into the bowl. Y

To avoid water logging in the outlet passage 25,

the interior of the air vent member 26 communi, cates with the passage 25 and with the atmos-v phere through the opening 75 and periorations 78 of the check valve structure adjacent the upper portion of the vent member. When the release valve is actuated and the main flush valve is opened, the water may rise in the air vent member 26 expelling the air therefrom and moving the check valve into engagement with the seat '12, thereby preventing a discharge of water from the upper end of the vent member.

Upon releasing the handle 68, the spring 64 will move the valve head 58 of the release valve against its seat 59, and owing to the diierence in diameter of the head 35 and that of the valve chamber 31, water under pressure from the sup- -ply pipe 29 and inlet port 28 will seep past the head 35 into that portion of the chamber behind the head 35 and into the portion 47 of the release passage, thereby gradually building up a pressure which acts to move the main valve in the lopposite direction and against its seat 39, this ac-v tion of the water behind the head 35 being assisted by the supply pressureactingagainst the inside surface of the flange 45 and thegrooveside surface of the ilange 44 gradually iilling the chamber 31 and slowly moving the main valve into closed position, the slow closing movement of the main valve allowing sufficient time to practically empty the tank 12 and permit air to enter and avoid water logging. Thereafter, the water will pass from the chamber 31 through the conduit formed by the recess 46 into the tank 12 until,

the water has been raised to a level where the pressure of the air in the upper portion of the tank is equal to that in the supply pipe 29, after which the operation of the flushing mechanism may be repeated.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a novel construction and arrangement of closet bowl and tank structure, and also provides a'novel construction and arrangement of manually controlled ilushing mechanism. f

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described as the same may be variously modiiied. Moreover, all the features of the invention need not be used conjointly as the same may be used to advantage in variously different combinations and subcombinations. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An article of the class described comprising a single casting of integral material havingl formed therein a receptacle, a flush ring conduit, a plurality of ports communicating with said conduit and receptacle, a waste conduit and a jet conduit communicating with the receptacle, a reservoir, pas. sages communicating with said reservoir, ring and jet conduits, and an air vent communicating with the atmosphere and directly with said passages.

2. An article of the class described comprising a single casting of integral material having formed therein a receptacle,` a flush ring conduit adjacent the upper portion of the receptaclaa plurality of inclinedrports communicating with said ring conduit and receptacle, a waste conduit and a iet conduit communicating with said receptacle adjacent the lower portion thereof, a reservoir, passages communicating with said reservoir, ring. and jet conduits, and an air vent communicating with the atmosphere and directly with said passages.

3. An article ofthe class described comprising a single casting of integral material having formed therein a receptacle, a flush ring conduit adjacent the upper portion of the receptacle,l a plurality of inclined ports communicating with said ring conduit and receptacle, a waste conduit and a jet conduit communicating with said receptacle adjacent the .lower portion thereof, a reservoir, passages communicating with said reservoir, ring and jet conduits, an air vent extending through said ring conduit and receptacle, a waste conduit and l a jet conduit communicating with said receptacle adjacent the lower portion thereof, a reservoir, passages communicating with said reservoir, ring and jet conduits, an air Vent extending through said reservoir and communicating with the atmoss phere and directly with said passages, and a valve chamber and release passage communicating directly with each other and with said reservoir and air vent.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a bowl providing a receptacle and having a flush ring and waste conduit formed therein and having a plurality of inclined ports communicating with said iush ring and receptacle, a tank formed integrally with said bowl and having a closed top portion, said tank and bowl having communicating passages formed therein adaptedv to conduct water from said tank to said ilush ring, a hydraulically actuated Valve for controllingthe flow of water from the tank to said Hush ring, and manually actuated means for controlling the operation of said valve.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a bowl providing a receptacle and having a flush ring and waste conduit formed therein, said bowl having a jet conduit formed therein communicating with said receptacle and having a plurality of substantial uniformly inclined ports communicating with said ilush ring and receptacle, a tank formed integrally with said bowl and having a closed top portion, said tank and bowl having communicating passages formed therein adapted to conduct water from said tank to said iiush ring and jet conduit, a

deector adjacent the intake end of said jet IBC TIT'

'7. In a device, ot the class. described, the combination of a4 bowl providing a receptacle and having a flush ring and waste conduit formed therein, said'bowl having a jet con-duit. formed therein communicating withv said receptacle and having a plurality of substantialz unitormly and. annularly spaced inclined ports. communicating with said flush ring, andreceptacle, a tank termed integrally with said bowl and. having a closed top portion, said tank and bowl having: communicating passages formed therein adapted to conduct water from said tank to said flush4 ring. and jet. conduit, a deii'ector adjacent the intake'. endet said jet conduit, a tubular air ventfmemb'er communicating with the. atmosphere and with said passages, a checkLvalve in said? vent.member,A

saidv tank having a valve chamber formed therein and aA release passage communicating with said chamber and with said vent memberbelcw sais-ll check valve, a hydraulically actuated main valve mountedin. said chamber for' controlling the'. flow. of water from the tank to said hush ring` and# `et conduit, and a manually actuated valve, mount.- edin said release passage for controlling the operation of said main valve.

8i. in a= device ci' the class described, the' com.- binationof a bowl providing a receptacle and having a hush ring and waste conduit termed. therein, said bowl haring a` jet conduit. termed therein communicating with said receptacle and havingv a plurality of' substantialuniformly and annularly spaced inclined ports communicating with saidflush ring and receptacle, a tank formed integrally with said bowl and'- having a cl'osed topportion, said`A tank and bowl having communicating passages formed therein adapted to= conduct'- water from' said tank to said flush ring and jet conduit, a deflector adjacent the intake end or' said jet conduit, a tubular air vent member mounted' in and formedintegrally with said tank and adapted tocommunicatewith theatmo-sphere'- and with said passages, a check valve iir said vent member, said tank having a valvechamber formed therein and a release passage communieating with said chamber and with` said vent member below said check valve, a hydraulically actuated main valvev having a body portion slid"- ably mounted in' said chamber for controlling the flow of water from the tank to said flush ring and jet conduit, a manually actuated valve mounted in said release passageV for controlling the operation of said'main valve; and awater supply pipe communicating' with saidchamber between the ends oiI said main valvev body portion- 9. In a device of the class described, the combine-tionl or atank having an inlet port and an outlet passagel formed therein; a topi portionadapted to tightly close the upper side of said tank, a hollow tubular airvent member mounted in said tank and communicating with the-atmos phere and withv said outlet passage; said tank having a valve chamber and a release passage'- ormed therein, said release passagebeingl adapt-A ed to communicate with said chamber and the interior of said vent member, a valve seat forming apart of said outlet passage, a main flush' valvel operatively relatedto said seat for controlling theI passage of water therethrough and having abody portion slidabl'y mounted in said chamber, saidl Vbody portion comprising a: plurality of heads, aA

spindle connecting said heads, one of said heads being' positioned between said inlet port and the interior or" said tank andhaving' a conduit formed' therein, the other of said heads being positioned between said inlet port and said releasepassage;

and aL release, valve positioned said release passage' torr controllingthe. passage of water therethrough. to control the operation of said main hushv valve.

10; InI a device of the class described, the combination of. atank having an inlet port and an outlet passage formed therein, ag top portion adapted to tightly close the upper sideI of said tank, a hollow tubular air vent member iormed integrally witlfr said tank and communicating with the atmosphere andwith said outlet passage, a check valve in said vent member, said tank having a valve chamber formed therein adjacent said inlet port and having. a release passageV formed therein, said release passage being adaptedto= communicate with said chamber and the interior of said vent member, a valve seat forming a part of said: outlet passage, a main flush' valve operatively related to said seat for controlling the passage oi water therethrough andi having a body portion: slidably mounted in said; chamber, said body portion comprising a plurality ofy spaced heads, aspindle connecting saidheads, one of saidheadsbeing positionedbetween said inlet port and; the interior. of said tank and having a. conduit. formed therein, the other of said headsv being positioned between said inletl port and: said release passage, and a manually operated release" valve positioned. inv said release passage torcontrcl-ling the passage of. water from said chamber tosai'd vent member for controlling the. operation-z of said main flush valve- 111. n a device of the class described., thecombination4 of a' tank hatingv an inlet port and an outlet passage formed'v therein, a toprportion adapted to tightly' closel the upper sidez oiv saidtank a holle-wA tubular air vent mounted in said tank. and communicating with the atmosphere amdwithsaidoutlet passage; aA check valve insaid vent. meinber,. said tank having a valve chamber termed thereiir adjacent said inlet port and having; a; releasev passage communicating with said chamber adjacent one end thereof and with the interior' of saidrvent member below said' check. vaine', ai. valve* seat forming a part of said outlet passage,- a'. main' flushvalve operatively relatedto said seat. for controlling the passge of water therethrough andhaving a'. body portion slidably mounted in said chamber; saidibody portion comprising a plurality of spacedheads, a spindle connecting said heads, one oi said heads having a portion thereof positionedI within said chamber between. said inlet port and the interior or the tank and having a conduit communicating withy said tank and. chamber, thev other of saidheads being; positioned in said. chamber normally between said inlet port and said release passage whenthe'main flush. valve is closed, anda manually` operated. valve positioned in said release passage for. controlling the passage of water therethrough and for controllingV the operation of said main flush valve.

1'2. In .a device of the class described', the combinationof a tankv having aninlet port and an outlet passage formed therein, a top portionv adapted to tightly; closethe upper side of? said tank, a hollow tubular'- airvent mounted in said tank and communicating with the atmosphere andwithhsaidfoutlet passage, a check valve inv said vent member,. said t'ankhavingr a valve' chamber formed? therein: adjacent said inlet port and having a-` release passage communicating with said chamber adjacent.y one endl thereof and. with the interior of said vent. member below' said check vali/'42 valve: seat` formingv part' ofi said: outlet passage, a main flush valve operatively related to said seat for controlling the passage of water therethrough and having a body portion slidably mounted in said chamber, said body portion comprising a plurality of spaced heads, a spindle connecting said heads, a portion of one of said heads having a sliding iit in said chamber and positio-ned therein between said inlet port and the interior of the tank, said head portion having a conduit communicating with said tank and chamber, the other of said heads having a diametrical dimension somewhat less than that of said chamber to provide for seepage of water past said other head and being positioned normally between said inlet port and said release passage when the main ush valve is closed, and a manually operated valve positioned in said release passage for controlling the passage of water therethrough and for controlling the operation of said main flush valve.

i3. in a device of the class described, the combination of a tank having an inlet port and an outlet passage formed therein, a top portion adapted to tightly close the upper side of said tank, a hollow tubular air vent mounted in said tank and communicating with the atmosphere and with said outlet passage, a check valve in said vent member, said tank having a valve chamber formed therein adjacent said inlet port and having a release passage communicating with said chamber adjacent one end thereof and with the interior of said vent member below said check valve, a valve seat forming a part of said outlet passage, a main ilush valve operatively related to said seat for controlling the passage o Water therethrough and having a body portion slidably mounted in said chamber, said body portion comprising a plurality oi spaced heads, a spindle connecting said heads, one of said heads having an annular groove formed therein to provide a plurality of flanges, one of said flanges being positioned normally outside of said chamber and the other normally within said chamber when the valve is in engagement with said seat, the flange within said chamber being positioned between said inlet-port and the interior of the tank and having a conduit communicating with said tank and chamber, the other of said heads being positioned normally between said inlet port and said release passage when the main iiush valve is closed, and a manually operated valve positioned in said release passage for controlling the passage of water therethrough and for controlling the operation of said main flush valve.

le. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tank having an inlet port and an outlet passage formed therein, a top portion adapted to tightly close the upper side of said tank, a hollow tubular air vent mounted in said tank and communicating with the atmosphere and with said outlet passage, a check valve in said vent member, said tank having a valve chamber formed therein adjacent said inlet port and having a release passage communicating with said chamber adjacent one end thereof and with the interior of said vent member above said outlet passage and below said check valve, a valve seat forming a part of said outlet passage, a main ush valve operatively related to said seat for controlling the passage of Water therethrough and having a body portion slidably mounted in said chamber, said body portion comprising a plurality of spaced heads, a spindle connecting said heads, one of said heads having an annular groove formed therein to provide a plurality of anges, one of said flanges being positioned normally outside of said chamber within said tank and the other ilange normally within said chamber when the valve is in engagement with said seat, the flange within the chamber being positioned between said inlet port and the interior of the tank and having a recess formed in its periphery providing a conduit communicating with said tank and chamber, the other of said heads being positioned normally between said inlet port and said release passage and being of slightly less diameter than said chamber to permit seepage of water from said inlet port to the release passage side of said other head, a release valve mounted in said release passage, resilient means for seating said release valve, and manually actuated means extending outside said tank and operatively related to said release valve for moving the release valve from its seat to permit the passage of water from said chamber to said vent member.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a bowl providing a receptacle and having a flush ring and Waste conduit formed therein, said bowl having a plurality of substantially uniformly and annularly spaced ports communicating with said ilush ring and receptacle, a tank formed integrally with said bowl and having a closed top portion, said tank and bowl having communicating passages formed therein adapted to conduct water 'from said tank to said flush ring, a tubular air vent member mounted in and formed integral with said tank and adapted to communicate with the atmosphere and with said passages, said tank having a valve chamber formed therein and a release passage communicating directly with said chamber and with said vent member, a hydraulically actuated main valve having a body portion slidably mounted in said chamber for controlling the flow of water from the tank to said flush ring, a manually actuated valve mounted in said release passage for controlling the operation of said main valve, and a water supply pipe communicating with said valve chamber.

JOHN N. MURPHY. 

